2-13-23 roundup: Pro basketball and soccer, High school basketball, Middle school basketball, College basketball and baseball

By Richard Walker

Regular season champion Gaston Christian and fourth-place finisher Gaston Day comprised five of the 16 players honored by the Metrolina Athletic Conference boys high school basketball all-league team.

Gaston Christian, which went 12-2 in league play, was represented by Corey Gaines, Makoi Mabor Marier and Cameron Newman. And Gaston Day, which went 8-6, was represented by Evan Montanari and Callum Richard.

Concord Academy, which won the league’s tournament title, had two selections – former Huss and Lincon Charter standout J.J. Moore and former Kings Mountain and Gaston Chrsitian standout Isaiah Tate.

Here’s the complete 2023 All-MAC boys team:

Derek Bradley – Westminster Catawba Christian
Eli Clark – Metrolina Christian
Corey Gaines – Gaston Christian
Tim Hall Jr – Westminster Catawba Christian
Armani Henderson – Hickory Grove Christian
Makoi Mabor Marier – Gaston Christian
Christian Monroe – SouthLake Christian
Evan Montanari – Gaston Day
J.J. Moore – Concord Academy
Cameron Newman – Gaston Christian
Antonio Perkins – Northside Christian
Avion Pinner – Concord Academy
Callum Richard – Gaston Day
Kyrell Shaw – Northside Christian
Isaiah Tate – Concord Academy
Michael Wilson Jr – Metrolina Christian

This week, the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA) playoffs begin with Gaston Christian’s boys and girls and Gaston Day’s boys all in the field.

In Class 2A boys, Gaston Day (16-9) is the No. 5 seed and received a bye into Saturday’s third round.

In Class 3A boys, Gaston Christian (22-9) is the No. 1 seed and received a bye into Saturday’s third round.

And in Class 3A girls, Gaston Christian (4-15) is unseeded and visits Hickory Grove Christian in a first round game on Tuesday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High school basketball

Here’s the conference tournament pairings for teams from Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties:

(Conference tournament pairings)
-Big South 3A
Monday’s boys quarterfinals
No. 1 South Point 80, No. 8 North Gaston 72: Dylan Bradley (22 points), Greyson Kines (20 points, 10 rebounds, 5 steals) and Jaquis Rumph (15 points, 7 rebounds) led South Point and Stephon Simmons had 23 points for North Gsaton.

No. 5 Ashbrook 52, No. 4 Kings Mountain 40

No. 2 Crest 79, No. 7 Forestview 62

No. 3 Huss defeated No. 6 Cramer

Monday’s girls quarterfinals
No. 1 Huss 64, No. 8 North Gaston 17

No. 4 Ashbrook 52, No. 5 South Point 51: Amya Graham (25 points, 17 rebounds, 5 assists), Lauren French (15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 blocks) and Lexi Birtwhistle (5 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals) led South Point.

No. 2 Cramer 70, No. 7 Forestview 38: Oshauna Holland (24 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 steals), Zion Duncan (22 points, 22 rebounds) and Madison Lee (9 points, 11 rebounds) led Cramer and Amani Neely had 18 points and Miangal Thompson 9 for Forestview.

No. 3 Crest 49, No. 6 Kings Mountain 42

Wednesday’s boys semifinals
No. 5 Ashbrook at No. 1 South Point
No. 3 Huss at No. 2 Crest
Wednesday’s girls semifinals
No. 4 Ashbrook at No. 1 Huss
No. 3 Crest at No. 2 Cramer
Friday’s finals at Huss
Girls, 6 p.m.
Boys, 7:30 p.m.

-Southern Piedmont 1A/2A
Monday’s boys quarterfinals
No. 2 Shelby 70, No. 7 Thomas Jefferson 44: Daylin Lee had 13 points, Canden McGill 11 and Ja’Keith Hamilton and Drew Hollifield 7 apiece for Shelby.

No. 3 Bessemer City 83, No. 6 Highland Tech 48

No. 4 Burns 66, No. 5 Cherryville 65

Monday’s girls quarterfinals
No. 2 Bessemer City 74, No. 7 Cherryville 27

No. 3 Thomas Jefferson 56, No. 6 Highland Tech 41

No. 4 Burns 58, No. 5 East Gaston 26

Wednesday’s boys semifinals
No. 4 Burns at No. 1 East Gaston
No. 3 Bessemer City at No. 2 Shelby
Wednesday’s girls semifinals
No. 4 Burns at No. 1 Shelby
No. 3 Thomas Jefferson at No. 2 Bessemer City
Friday’s finals at East Gaston
Girls, 6 p.m.
Boys, 7:30 p.m.

-Western Foothills 3A
Monday’s boys quarterfinals
No. 1 Hickory 79, No. 8 West Iredell 29

No. 4 North Iredell 64, No. 5 St. Stephens 51

No. 2 East Lincoln 81, No. 7 Statesville 60: Drew Walker (19 points, 6 rebounds), Jackson Fannon (17 points, 5 3-pointers) and Mason Simmons (13 points, 10 rebounds) led East Lincoln.

No. 3 North Lincoln 65, No. 6 Foard 61

Monday’s girls quarterfinals
No. 1 East Lincoln 70, No. 8 West Iredell 18

No. 4 Hickory 59, No. 5 Foard 31

No. 2 St. Stephens 49, No. 7 North Lincoln 25

No. 3 North Iredell 70, No. 6 Statesville 49

Wednesday’s boys semifinal at North Iredell
No. 1 Hickory vs. No. 4 North Iredell, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday’s girls semifinal at North Iredell
No. 1 East Lincoln vs. No. 4 Hickory, 6 p.m.
Thursday’s boys semifinal at North Iredell
No. 2 East Lincoln vs. No. 3 North Lincoln, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday’s girls semifinal at North Iredell
No. 2 St. Stephens vs. No. 3 North Iredell, 6 p.m.
Friday’s finals at North Iredell
Girls, 6 p.m.
Boys, 7:30 p.m.

-Catawba Valley 2A
Tuesday’s boys quarterfinals
No. 8 East Burke at No. 1 West Caldwell
No. 5 Bunker Hill at No. 4 Lincolnton
No. 7 West Lincoln at No. 2 Maiden
No. 6 Bandys at No. 3 Newton-Conover
Tuesday’s girls quarterfinals
No. 8 Bunker Hill at No. 1 East Burke
No. 5 Bandys at No. 4 West Lincoln
No. 7 West Caldwell at No. 2 Newton-Conover
No. 6 Lincolnton at No. 3 Maiden
Wednesday’s boys semifinal at CVCC
Highest remaining quarterfinal seed
Wednesday’s girls semifinal at CVCC
Highest remaining quarterfinal seed
Thursday’s boys semifinal at CVCC
Lowest remaining quarterfinal seed
Thursday’s girls semifinal at CVCC
Lowest remaining quarterfinal seed
Friday’s finals at CVCC
Girls, 6 p.m.
Boys, 7:30 p.m.

-Catawba Shores 1A/2A
Monday’s boys quarterfinals
No. 2 Community School of Davidson 74, No. 7 Langtree Charter 32

No. 3 Christ the King 59, No. 6 Bradford Prep 41

No. 5 Mountain Island Charter 51, No. 4 Pine Lake Prep 47

Monday’s girls quarterfinals
No. 4 Pine Lake Prep 54, No. 5 Bradford Prep 30

Wednesday’s boys semifinals at Christ the King
No. 1 Lincoln Charter vs. No. 5 Mountain Island Charter, 5:30 p.m.
No. 2 Community School of Davidson vs. No. 3 Christ the King, 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday’s girls semifinals at Christ the King
No. 1 Lincoln Charter vs. No. 4 Pine Lake Prep, 4 p.m.
No. 2 Community School of Davidson vs. No. 3 Christ the King, 7 p.m.
Friday’s finals at Christ the King
Girls, 6 p.m.
Boys, 7:30 p.m.

-Metro 8 1A
Monday’s boys quarterfinals
No. 2 Carolina International 92, No. 7 Apprentice Academy 38

No. 3 Queen’s Grant 71, No. 6 Cabarrus Charter 67

No. 4 Piedmont Community Charter 77, No. 5 Sugar Creek 57

Monday’s girls quarterfinals
No. 4 Sugar Creek 50, No. 5 Cabarrus Charter 19

No. 6 Carolina International at No. 3 Queen’s Grant

Wednesday’s boys semifinals
No. 4 Piedmont Community Charter at No. 1 Corvian Community
No. 3 Queen’s Grant vs. No. 2 Carolina International
Wednesday’s girls semifinals
No. 4 Sugar Creek at No. 1 Piedmont Community Charter
No. 6/3 winner at No. 2 Corvian Community
Friday finals at Corvian Community
Girls, 6 p.m.
Boys, 7:30 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

College basketball

The women’s basketball teams of Belmont Abbey and Gardner-Webb continue to shine.

Belmont Abbey is ranked No. 3 in Monday’s Southeast Regional Poll after improving to 19-4 last week and winning 17 of its last 18 games.

Gardner-Webb (22-4, 14-0) has won 14 straight and wrapped up the top seed in the upcoming Big South Conference tournament at Charlotte’s Bojangles’ Coliseum.

Here’s the week’s men’s basketball schedule:

(Wednesday’s games)
Davidson at Saint Louis
Erskine at Belmont Abbey
Gaston College at Richard Bland
Winthrop at Gardner-Webb

(Thursday’s games)
Queens at Jacksonville State
Western Kentucky at Charlotte

(Saturday, Feb. 18)
Belmont Abbey at Lees-McRae
Charlotte at Louisiana Tech
Gardner-Webb at UNC Asheville
Hosanna Bible College at Gaston College
Queens at Kennesaw State
St. Joseph’s at Davidson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Middle school basketball

Gaston County Conference standings through Feb. 13:

-BOYS
Southwest 6-0
Belmont 6-1
Grier 4-1
Holbrook 4-2
Mount Holly 4-2
Cramerton 3-3
Stanley 3-4
Chavis 2-4
York Chester 2-5
Bessemer City 0-6
W.C. Friday 0-6

-GIRLS
Holbrook 6-0
Belmont 6-1
Cramerton 4-2
Mount Holly 4-2
Southwest 4-2
W.C. Friday 3-3
Stanley 2-5
York Chester 2-5
Grier 1-4
Bessemer City 1-5
Chavis 1-5

(Monday’s games)
-BOYS
Belmont 66, Chavis 23: Hunter Gerould had 15 points, Eli Connor 11 and Jeremiah Holt 10 for Belmont.

Cramerton 58, York Chester 40: Gavin Jordan had 21 points, Trenden England 12, Sean Barnett 5 and Semaj Hart and Marcus Rhodes 4 each for Cramerton.

Stanley 44, W.C. Friday 25: Josh Norris had 26 points and 9 rebounds for Stanley.

Holbrook 45, Mount Holly 40: Savion Lindsay and Dyson Britt each had 14 points, Mehki McIntosh 8 and Jeric Guthrie-Barber 7 for Holbrook.

-GIRLS
Belmont 44, Chavis 8

Cramerton 33, York Chester 14: Jyi-Yanna Watkins had 11 points, Cameron Smith 6, Addi Dellinger 5 and Priscilla Iyevbele 4 for Cramerton.

W.C. Friday 43, Stanley 22

Holbrook 40, Mount Holly 25: Shemiah McCoy (16 points, 5 steals), Jaleila Littlejohn (10 points, 6 steals) and Jakyra Sadler (8 points, 3 steals) led Holbrook.

(Tuesday’s games)
Grier vs. Southwest at Forestview HS

(Thursday’s games)
Holbrook at Grier, Mount Holly at W.C. Friday, Southwest at Cramerton, Stanley at Chavis, York Chester at Bessemer City

 

Tri-County Conference playoff pairings:

(Monday)
-BOYS
Kings Mountain at Shelby
Thomas Jefferson at Burns
-GIRLS
East Lincoln at Crest
Thomas Jefferson at North Lincoln

(Wednesday)
-BOYS
KM-Shelby winner vs. TJ-Burns winner
-GIRLS
EL-Crest winner vs. TJ-NL winner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro basketball

The Charlotte Hornets had their most impressive offensive outing of the season in Monday’s 144-138 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

The Hornets (16-43) has season-highs in points, field goal percentage (63.1), 3-point percentage (54.1), field goals made (53), 3-pointers (20) and assists (36) as they snapped a seven-game losing streak while also completing a 3-1 season series victory over Atlanta.

LaMelo Ball (30 points, 6 rebounds, 15 assists), Terry Rozier (29 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists), Gordon Hayward (26 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists), P.J. Washington (22 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists) and Mark Williams (15 points, 5 rebounds) led Charlotte.

Here’s the 2022-23 Charlotte Hornets schedule:

(16-43 record)
October
19 at San Antonio (W 129-102)
21 New Orleans (L 112-124)
23 at Atlanta (W 126-109)
26 at New York (L 131-134, OT)
28 at Orlando (L 93-113)
29 Golden State (W 120-113, OT)
31 Sacramento (L 108-115)
November
2 at Chicago (L 88-106)
4 at Memphis (L 99-130)
5 Brooklyn (L 94-98)
7 Washington (L 100-108)
9 Portland (L 95-105)
10 at Miami (L 112-117, OT)
12 at Miami (L 115-132)
14 at Orlando (W 112-105)
16 Indiana (L 113-125)
18 at Cleveland (L 122-132, 2 OT)
20 at Washington (L 102-106)
23 Philadelphia (W 107-101)
25 Minnesota (W 110-108)
28 at Boston (L 105-140)
December
2 Washington (W 117-116)
3 Milwaukee (L 96-105)
5 L.A. Clippers (L 117-119)
7 at Brooklyn (L 116-122)
9 New York (L 102-121)
11 at Philadelphia (L 113-131)
14 Detroit (L 134-141, OT)
16 Atlanta (L 106-125)
18 at Denver (L 115-119)
19 at Sacramento (W 125-119)
21 at L.A. Clippers (L 105-126)
23 at L.A. Lakers (W 134-130)
26 at Portland (L 113-124)
27 at Golden State (L 105-110)
29 Oklahoma City (W 121-113)
31 Brooklyn (L 106-123)
January
2 L.A. Lakers (L 115-121)
4 Memphis (L 107-131)
6 at Milwaukee (W 138-109)
8 at Indiana (L 111-116)
10 at Toronto (L 120-132)
12 at Toronto (L 114-124)
14 Boston (L 106-122)
16 Boston (L 118-130)
18 at Houston (W 122-117)
21 at Atlanta (W 122-118)
23 at Utah (L 102-120)
24 at Phoenix (L 97-128)
26 Chicago (W 111-96)
29 Miami (W 122-117)
31 at Milwaukee (L 115-124)
February
2 at Chicago (L 98-114)
3 at Detroit (L 112-118)
5 Orlando (L 113-119)
8 at Washington (L 104-118)
10 at Boston (L 116-127)
11 Denver (L 105-119)
13 Atlanta (W 144-138)
15 San Antonio, 7 p.m.
24 at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
25 Miami, 7 p.m.
27 Detroit, 7 p.m.
March
1 Phoenix, 7 p.m.
3 Orlando, 7 p.m.
5 at Brooklyn, 6 p.m.
7 at New York, 7:30 p.m.
9 at Detroit, 7 p.m.
11 Utah, 7 p.m.
12 Cleveland, 5 p.m.
14 Cleveland, 7 p.m.
17 Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
20 Indiana, 7 p.m.
23 at New Orleans, 8 p.m.
24 at Dallas, 7:30 p.m.
26 Dallas, 1 p.m.
28 at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.
31 Chicago, 7 p.m.
April
2 Toronto, 1 p.m.
4 Toronto, 7 p.m.
7 Houston, 7 p.m.
9 at Cleveland, 1 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

College baseball

The Charlotte 49ers are predicted to finish atop Conference USA in 2023, according to D1Baseball.com. The publication released its yearly preview of the league last Saturday.

Charlotte was picked ahead of Louisiana Tech, Dallas Baptist, and Florida Atlantic – the three teams predicted to finish above the 49ers in the Conference USA Preseason Coaches Poll that was announced last week.

Charlotte starts the season on Friday at Hayes Stadium at 4 p.m. against Ball State as the first of a four-game series.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro soccer

Crown Legacy FC today announced the Club has signed forward Josué Rodrigues from Brazilian team Lemense Futebol Clube.

“Josué is a crafty winger who loves to get forward and possesses great technical ability on the ball for a player of his age,” head coach Jose Tavares said in a school news release. “He is another talented, youthful attacker that needs time to develop and we’re able to provide an environment where he can do that on the appropriate timeline. We look forward to welcoming him to Charlotte and get started on his development to help grow him into the player we hope he can be.”

Rodrigues, 18, comes to the Queen City after making his way through the Lemense academy featuring at various levels culminating in the U-20s. The winger made his debut in senior football earlier this season, scoring an insurance goal in Lemense’s 3-1 win over Velo Clube in the Paulista Serie A2.

Additionally, Rodrigues is the Club’s second permanent international transfer, following the signing of Cape Verde international Iuri Tavares.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auto racing

The 2023 NASCAR schedule (with winners in parentheses):

Feb 5 Clash at The Coliseum, Los Angeles CA (Martin Truex, Jr.)
Feb 16 Duel No. 1, Daytona Beach FL, 7 p.m. on FS1
Feb 16 Duel No. 2, Daytona Beach FL, 8:45 p.m. on FS1
Feb 19 Daytona 500, Daytona Beach FL, 2:30 p.m. on FOX
Feb 26 NASCAR Cup Series at California, Fontana CA 3:30 p.m. on FOX
Mar 5 NASCAR Cup Series at Las Vegas, Las Vegas NV, 3:30 p.m. on FOX
Mar 12 NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix, Avondale AZ, 3:30 p.m. on FOX
Mar 19 NASCAR Cup Series at Atlanta, Hampton GA, 3:30 p.m. on FOX
Mar 26 NASCAR Cup Series at Circuit of the Americas, Austin TX, 3:30 p.m. on FOX
Apr 2 NASCAR Cup Series at Richmond, Richmond VA, 3:30 p.m. on FS1
Apr 9 NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol, Bristol TN, 7 p.m. on FOX
Apr 16 NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville, Martinsville VA, 3 p.m. on FS1
Apr 23 NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega, Lincoln AL, 3 p.m. on FOX
Apr 30 NASCAR Cup Series at Dover, Dover DE, 2 p.m. on FS1
May 7 NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas, Kansas City KS, 3 p.m. on FS1
May 14 NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington, Darlington SC, 3 p.m. on FS1
May 21 NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Open Race, North Wilkesboro NC, 6 p.m. on FS1
May 21 NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race, North Wilkesboro NC, 8 p.m. on FS1
May 28 NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte, Concord NC, 6 p.m. at FOX
Jun 4 NASCAR Cup Series at World Wide Technology Raceway, Madison IL, 3:30 p.m. on FS1
Jun 11 NASCAR Cup Series at Sonoma, Sonoma CA, 3:30 p.m. on FOX
Jun 25 NASCAR Cup Series at Nashville, Lebanon TN, 7 p.m. on NBC
Jul 2 NASCAR Cup Series at Chicago, Chicago IL, 5:30 p.m. on NBC
Jul 9 NASCAR Cup Series at Atlanta, Hampton GA, 7 p.m. on USA
Jul 16 NASCAR Cup Series at New Hampshire, Loudon NH, 2:30 p.m. on USA
Jul 23 NASCAR Cup Series at Pocono, Long Pond PA, 2:30 p.m. on USA
Jul 30 NASCAR Cup Series at Richmond, Richmond VA, 3 p.m. on USA
Aug 6 NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan, Brooklyn MI, 2:30 p.m. on USA
Aug 13 NASCAR Cup Series at Indianapolis Road Course, Speedway IN, 2:30 p.m. on NBC
Aug 20 NASCAR Cup Series at Watkins Glen, Watkins Glen NY, 3 p.m. on USA
Aug 26 NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona, Daytona Beach FL, 7 p.m. on NBC

(Cup Playoffs)
Sep 3 NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington, Darlington SC, 6 p.m. on USA
Sep 10 NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas, Kansas City KS, 3 p.m. on USA
Sep 16 NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol, Bristol TN, 7:30 p.m. on USA
Sep 24 NASCAR Cup Series at Texas, Fort Worth TX, 3:30 p.m. on USA
Oct 1 NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega, Lincoln AL, 2 p.m. on NBC
Oct 8 NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte, Concord NC, 2 p.m. on NBC
Oct 15 NASCAR Cup Series at Las Vegas, Las Vegas NV, 2:30 p.m. on NBC
Oct 22 NASCAR Cup Series at Miami, Homestead FL, 2:30 p.m. on NBC
Oct 29 NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville, Martinsville, 2 p.m. on NBC
Nov 5 NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix, Avondale AZ, 3 p.m. on NBC